Paragould, Arkansas – A plan to permit the sale of alcohol at the brand-new Let’s Roll Paragould bowling alley was unsuccessful Tuesday night due to a lack of momentum.
Since the City of Paragould merged with Ward 4 years ago, the area has remained dry.
Alcohol sales have long been prohibited in the area due to a gentleman’s agreement that persisted until the construction of the Walmart Supercenter on West Kingshighway in 1998.
“On election day, we lined the streets and collected the necessary signatures to vote Ward 4 off the ballot,” resident Keith White stated.
At Tuesday’s city council, a number of people voiced their opposition to Let’s Roll Paragould’s requested private club license.
In addition to keeping Ward 4 dry, Pastor Dale Noe also wants to keep the streets safe.
“You’re going to add alcohol to that situation, which is close to one of the most dangerous intersections in all of Greene County,” Noe stated.
Let’s Roll Paragould and Boom Holdings’ founders and board members have a track record of running profitable bowling alleys with alcohol service.
More than 100 people have shown support for the license, according to Boom Holdings representative Jason Willett, although none of them reside in Ward 4.
They used to, but you should have a list of members. That kind of thing is going on within. These individuals have shown their intention to support the license, and having these members is a must for the state, Willett stated.
Some locals expressed worry that if the license is approved, alcohol sales in Ward 4 may expand, opening the door for establishments like Walmart and Kum & Go to sell alcohol.
That isn’t the case at all, according to Mayor Josh Agee.
“Were to be passed if not to vote. Alright, it wouldn’t allow a liquor shop or gas station to start selling beer to go customers in Ward 4. Instead, it would enable Boom Holdings to apply for a private club through the state, Mayor Agee stated.
According to Arkansas law, a business must wait a year before reapplying if the license is denied.
Mayor Agee stated that the business would have to wait a year to proceed again because it failed due to a lack of motion.
Willett refused to elaborate on the circumstances.
